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Current Affairs, cyber attack

Palestinians Hit By Cyberattack Following Success At Unesco: The Guardian

On November 1st, 2011, Harriet Sherwood reported for the Guardian on how internet services in both the West Bank and Gaza have come under a sustained cyberattack by unknown hackers.  Palestinian Authority spokesman Ghassan Khatib was quoted as saying "There has been a sustained attack since the morning from many sources in many countries.  It is deliberate and continuous."  The cyberattack has interrupted phone services and caused internet connections to either slow or completely stop.  The Palestinian telecoms minister noted that all Palestinian IP addresses have come under attack, possibly indicating the involvement of a nation-state. 

The attack came a day after Unesco voted overwhelmingly to admit the Palestinian Authority as a full member.  This vote triggered punitive financial sanctions against Unesco by the US.  Israeli foreign minister Avigdor Lieberman said the government should consider cutting all ties with the Palestinian authority and review its relations with Unesco.

The source article can be found here.

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